1. Be altruistic, because inner peace is created by doing loving things for others. The size of these acts covers a huge range but the smallest acts bring elevation. Make eye contact and smile at a stranger, donate a can of food, check on a neighbor: share what feels best for you.

2. Touch. Hygiene to personal space has made us decrease contact with one another but we were meant to touch and be touched... this is partly why we own so many pets, comfortable clothes, and stuffed animals (snuggle, snuggle). Bring touch back to one another: give anyone today a high-five, try a social dance class with simple hand holds, and lean in and snuggle back up to your family and friends.

3. Move with positive music which touches our brain through our heart (rhythm and tempo), our mind (words and lyrics), and our emotions (instrumentation). Turn OFF dark, angry, and anxious music because it turns equal thoughts, emotions, and sensations ON: oh my!

For a dramatically well voting experience, consider these three things:

1. Candidate Selection without Bias: Did you ever receive an email and the misinterpret the emotion behind it? Written word takes on the tone of our own mind, not always the tone of the author, and just as likely body language and gestures can all interpreted in our frame of mind.

WHAT TO DO: Look at each candidate and vote option from a point of fact (objective) rather than opinion and emotion (subjective).

2. Question with Equality: if we start with our own preferences, then next we unconsciously seek out the information that supports our preference.

WHAT TO DO: Equally ask the same question of both candidates, such as "what is their factual position and plan for environmental health?". For bonds, what are the facts of this funding cost and distribution if I vote For versus Against?

3. Innocent until Proven Guilty: Especially in the days before Election day, anyone can say anything about anyone, and claims rapidly becomes global. Does this urgency sway your research?

WHAT TO DO: Seek to check if a claim has been proven, and consider through what process.

Tuesday, September 20 was a particularly emotional Ballroom class at UNM. Before the last dance, I shared a piece of my health story.

So many people have issues in their lives. Relationships. Work. Resources. Stress. Religion. My health has always been... complex.

Five years ago I asked my dermatologists and eye doctors to monitor a spot on the tissue in the corner of my right eye. Six months ago, my eye doctor said "Wait... How long has it been like THIS?" meaning that the spot now extended throughout my lower eye lid. I did not know...

So they referred my to a surgeon and said to take care of it within six months. The eye surgeon was retiring, but he said "Get in to this doctor. Email. Call. Get it done in three months. Top of the list."

I was able to see this doctor within two months, and he asked me to schedule surgery asap. He said if it was positive, I would have to go to Denver or Philadelphia to see the top doctors in ocular oncology. I went upstairs and sat in the surgery department awaiting that schedule. They brought me in and offered a date the very next week.

But the date of that week was tricky... seriously tricky. I had my first recorded interview for a Fitness show. I had an Open House for new students at a facility I adore. I had my first conference presentation. We planned to take our daughters to the State Fair. And all that took place first. One more week.

The day before surgery, September 20, I asked my friend and pro photographer to come in and take pictures. I wanted to capture my students joy. My students bravery and courage. My students trials, success, and laughter. And that I had waited one more week to savory this last moment, together. Dancing.

For our very last dance, I shared the above story. I promised to be back the next week. I thanked them for dancing, no matter what. No matter what. And then we waltzed. (Private clip, recreated October 14).

The next week on September 27, I came back to Tuesday class. We had a strong class; we danced more, learned more. It would be nearly three more weeks before I found out my pathology results, and they waited with me. Dancing.

On September 20, my dear photographer friend Basil Steele came for a visit at UNM. On the fifth week of our twice-a-week Ballroom class with LaBlast curriculum, I was introducing Samba, Paso Doble, and Disco.

The gift of photography: absolutely priceless.

In honor of all my loving students who open their bodies, hearts, and minds to dance each week, please enjoy the following!

Go ahead and google images for the "J-Curve". Used in learning to leadership, employment to grief, the model is based on the reality that in all things: a period of failure comes before success, or you fall before you rise.

And, it's ironically true. A rare mom absolutely adores the nine-month route through pregnancy before giving birth. A rare entrepreneur enjoys market research in the pursuit of giving the world an innovative product. A rare person jumps for joy at the end of the first week of an exercise program in dreams of reaching an ideal fitness level. Remember that "end goal" part...

Today the J-Curve is hitting me twice: starting a business, and cancer.

On the occupational side, anyone who has ever started a business can relate to the grind of hours, weeks, months, and even years required to create a viable "plan". What is my brand? What is my niche audience? What are my exact products? How should I market? What are my expenses and revenue sources? As a teacher, I want to shout "Let's get on to TEACHING!" But I task it out, one bite at a time, and keep pointing forward.

And on the physical side, this summer a routine eye check up became "You need to see a surgeon within six months." Which led to a meeting with the best eye surgeon in NM, who was retiring and referred me to top surgeon #2. Which led to more waiting for an appointment and when it arrived, he said "You need surgery as soon as possible." Which led to surgery last week, and now we wait for pathology results. This is not my first bout with cancer; I followed the same experience with thyroid (malignant) at 19.

If it is not cancer: the worst is over, woop-woop!

If it is cancer: DEEPER J-CURVE! Things will get worse before they get better.

It's the faith that things will curve, that things could get better, that drives us to change. Or in this case, seek treatment.

In the short-term fall of the J-Curve, I rely on my Dramatic Wellness strategies to bring light: enjoying peaceful nature walks, moving and growing with my students when teaching, making time at home cozy with my family, learning new things from positive books and podcasts... Everyone is different or maybe we are similar: I would love to know what makes you Dramatically Well!

Having had cancer at 19, I struggle with the long-term. Since then, life literally and gratefully comes ninety days at a time from the pharmacy. I have unconsciously been living a 90-day plan: What can I do within three months? Who can I help within three months?

My today goal is to shine more light on that upward part of the J-Curve which most often extends beyond 90 days. Please email me if you have this part nailed down in your life! :D As a start, my new vision board this week reads:

What if you could meet your instructors, make friends, and ask questions before committing to a new class?

This was the WONDERFUL event OASIS Albuquerque hosted this week to introduce their Fall 2016 class line up! Over 200 guests came by to meet a sample of presenters in various topics, including their NEW Health and Wellness course programming featuring SIX newLaBlast "Partner-Free Intro to Dance" classes:

A sample of questions from attendees:

What do I wear? Low tread sneakers and your normal comfy attire!

What music do you play? From traditional to popular, ALL artists and genres, AND if you bring in a song, we can show you how to dance to it!

Where are classes held? In the main lecture room of OASIS, located just West of Carlisle off Menaul.

What if I have two left feet? If you walked in this room, not to worry, you have one left and one right foot.

What if I have never danced before? PERFECT! Classes are designed for absolute beginners. We start with no music, clapping basic rhythms, and moving in place, then build up.

What if I danced for years? PERFECT! Classes include demonstrated variety to get the fitness and knowledge you seek.

AND the deep-felt question that keeps people away:

What if I fail?

And so commenced the 15-second one-on-one tutorials in any style they desired.

There is nothing like overcoming doubt then DOING, and YES, they ALL succeeded!

This past weekend it was my honor to present on the topic of "Psychological Wellness" at the Albuquerque Strength and Conditioning Clinic, held annually for fitness professionals and interested public at the JCC of Greater Albuquerque.

With research from more than 25 sources ranging 200 years, participants in my 45-minute presentation received knowledge and techniques in five Dimensions of Wellness. We also did the Wave, learned Salsa Dance in 15 seconds, and considered "What if Michael Jackson was our training client?" (attend my next live events and read on for those perks!)

Dimensions of Wellness models range from 6-8 parts of your life that accumulate into each unique person. BUT use the model in reverse: is WHAT you do in your life, such as your fitness program of choice, supporting your wellness?

1. Emotional Dimension: Does your fitness program feel great, and at all times?2. Mental Dimension: Does your fitness program educate you? What are the thoughts your program creates in you about own abilities, success, and growth?3. Social Dimension: Does your fitness program allow time and opportunities to meaningfully connect with others, such as your trainer and fellow clients?4. Spiritual Dimension: Does your fitness program enhance your greater purpose?

Then I revealed how to create YES responses in these and more wellness dimensions in ALL fitness programs.

As a person seeking wellness, you can find activities or programs that compliment your needs:

Emotional: Do you want to feel challenged, energized, or relaxed?

Mental: Do you want to learn about yourself or a skill, or follow guidance?

Social: Do you want to workout alone, with a group, or be part of a team?

Spiritual: What physical abilities do you need to achieve your life purpose?

Looking at all the wellness dimensions, from personal performances and candid interviews, perhaps he had huge strength in his life purpose (Spiritual), conveyed that purpose in his Emotional, Mental, and Physical performances, yet key negative Social, Occupational, and Environmental aspects revealed themselves in his music evolution, and those stressors ultimately compromised his overall wellness.

What if he had different social support? Decreased occupational and environmental stress? More quality recovery time?

Could a fitness program have supported these solutions? Absolutely.

This post is in honor of the fitness professionals and clients who strive for Dramatic Wellness.

Join me live September 16 at the FREE Taste of OASIS open house to receive the answers to your wellness questions and learn about my preferred fitness program, LaBlast.

Here is a moment from one of my wonderful UNM Aerobic Dance students (featuring LaBlast Fitnesscurriculum), who after only a few short weeks of class attended our April 18-19 "UNM Dance Fitness Clinic" with LaBlast creator Louis van Amstel.

Check out their glow after ONE HOUR of dancing!

Gabriela's heart-felt and super fun account below of her experience with LaBlast, the partner-free fitness program that teaches you authentic dance, just had to be shared.

Thank you, Gabriela!

On Saturday April 30th, I had the honor of attending Omega Delta Phi’s (ODPhi) 15th annual formal. ODPhi formal is unlike any other fraternity formal that I’ve been to because it is a multicultural fraternity, meaning it is rich in culture and proud of its heritage. The first part of the formal had some speeches from the seniors. Then one of the founding members of the New Mexico came up and spoke about how he founded the UNM chapter of ODPhi. After awards and a nice slide show, the real fun began. The dj played and we all danced.

When salsa, samba, and cha-cha songs came on, I was able to use the moves from class to dance the entire night. I was even able to do some partner dancing, and each gentleman was really impressed with my dancing skills. Some were even shocked that I knew the steps and could do them so confidently. Once people caught on that I knew the steps, they taught me even more moves to add.

This is when I realized how much dance plays a roll in our lives. It is something that unifies people of different cultures, and who don’t speak each other’s oral language. I am a big lover of music and dancing, but knowing the moves makes all the difference. Knowing the steps gives me a new confidence in myself. I ended up dancing for almost three hours non-stop to Latin American music, and I had the absolute time of my life. Talk about a cardio work out! I am looking forward to showing off my moves at every opportunity I get.

Best known for engaging first-time movers, watch your dance and fitness barriers evaporate when you begin your journey with Megan. With a background in Dance (BA) and Physical Education (MS) from the University of New Mexico, Megan Merchant is well-known for her 15 years of spreading health, fitness, and dance to older adults, expectant and new parents, and collegiate students in the Southwest. "The best of life is in the precious experiences of every day, every moment, and every movement: LaBlast elevates all!"